scholarly journals Healthy Diet Assistance for the Most Deprived in Post-Crisis Greece: An Evaluation of the State Food Provision Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Antonis Vlassopoulos ◽  
Konstantina Filippou ◽  
Aleks Pepa ◽  
Olga Malisova ◽  
Dimitra Xenaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fresh Meat ◽  
Single Person ◽  
Food Provision ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Provision Program

In 2016, the European Union set up the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) as its first structured food provision program to combat food insecurity. Computational analysis and a cross-sectional survey took place from January 2016 to June 2018 to calculate FEAD’s contribution to its beneficiaries’ diets and to collect beneficiary satisfaction data. Dairy, fresh meat, legumes, sugar, olive oil, and tomato concentrate were the most commonly procured items. The program’s contribution to vegetable, dairy, and grains intake was 3.4%, 6.1%, and 6.0%, respectively, as opposed to discretionary calories (12.2%) and fats/oils (24.5%). The program’s algorithm greatly favors (almost 3-fold) single-person applications, compared with applications with four or more people. Beneficiaries valued each food provision at 21.23 ± 23.4 euros, which, for 64.4% of them, translated to a high positive impact on the household budget. FEAD had a highly positive impact on feelings of anxiety and security, for 50.7% and 41.6% of its beneficiaries. Satisfaction with the foods provided was also high for ~70% of the beneficiaries. The program is met with high beneficiary satisfaction and is perceived as a substantial assistance. Increases in the amounts and variety of foods delivered, with a focus on fruit, vegetables, and fish, should be considered to further improve the program’s dietary impact.

scholarly journals Assisting Towards a Healthy Diet for the Most Deprived in Post-Crisis Greece: An Evaluation of the State Food Provision Program

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonis Vlassopoulos ◽  
Konstantina Filippou ◽  
Aleks Pepa ◽  
Olga Malisova ◽  
Dimitra Xenaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Program Satisfaction ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Food Provision ◽  
Provision Program

Introduction In 2016 the European Union setup its first structured food provision program to combat food insecurity. We aimed to measure the program’s capacity in assisting its beneficiaries to achieve a healthy diet and measure their satisfaction. Methods A computational study was carried out to calculate daily food provision per person under the program for January 2016-December 2017. A cross sectional survey in 3942 beneficiaries took place in December 2017-June 2018 collecting anthropometric, sociodemographic and program satisfaction data. Descriptive statistics were performed and reported as relatively frequencies, mean ± standard deviation. Results Dairy, fresh meat, legumes, sugar, olive oil and tomato concentrate were the most commonly procured items. The program’s contribution to vegetable, dairy and cereal intake was the lowest (3.4%, 6.1%, 6.0% respectively) as opposed to free sugars (12.2%) and oils (24.5%). The program’s algorithm favors greatly (almost 3-fold) single person applications compared to 4+ persons applications. The monetary value was estimated at 21.23±23.4 euros/food provision, however 64.4% of beneficiaries reported a high positive impact on the household budget. 50.7% and 41.6% reported high positive impact on feelings of anxiety and security, respectively. ~70% of the beneficiaries were highly satisfied with the foods provided, with lower scores for quality and shelf-life (50.7% and 58.8% high respectively). Conclusions The program is met by high beneficiary satisfaction and is perceived as a substantial assistance. Increases in the amounts and variety of foods delivered, with a focus on fruit, vegetables and fish should be considered, to further improve the program’s dietary impact.

scholarly journals Engaging with Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Communities and Their Cats: Human Behaviour Change for Animal and Human Benefit

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
McDonald ◽  
Clements
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sustainable Change ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Community Benefits ◽  
Economically Deprived ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Partnership Program

The overpopulation of free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) is fuelled by uncontrolled breeding of both owned and unowned populations and has been identified as a particular problem in socio-economically deprived areas. Consequently, for sustainable change, it is recommended that Trap-Neuter-Return activities are linked with community engagement to encourage positive behaviours towards cats. This paper assesses the acceptability and impact of a community-partnership program called “Bulwell Cat Watch” (BCW), set-up to control cat numbers in Bulwell, UK. The data are based on a (1) cross-sectional survey (n = 478); (2) pre-post analysis (n = 21); and (3) targeted survey of people known to engage with BCW (n = 34). We found significant associations between awareness of BCW and an increased likelihood of reporting unowned cats now compared to previous years. Respondents reported increased self-efficacy and confidence to help cats. Our pre-post study corroborated these findings with residents significantly more likely to report unowned cats compared to when surveyed pre-BCW. An indirect benefit to residents engaged with the program was the positive impact on confidence and self-esteem. Taken in combination these results show community partnerships can effectively engage often hard-to-reach populations and foster sustainable management by overcoming barriers to helping cats, alongside the potential for wider community benefits.

scholarly journals May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Hungary

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_B) ◽  
pp. B70-B72
Author(s):  
János Nemcsik ◽  
Dénes Páll ◽  
Zsuzsanna Nemes-Nagy ◽  
Mária Bacskai ◽  
Tibor Kovács ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Antihypertensive Medication ◽  
Uncontrolled Hypertension ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Causes Of Mortality ◽  
Global Initiative ◽  
Set Up

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are not only the leading causes of mortality in Hungary but also the mortality rate is twice as high as the European Union average, so screening programmes identifying subjects with elevated blood pressure (BP) are of utmost importance. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global initiative that began in 2017 aimed at raising awareness of high BP. Hungary joined the 3rd campaign of MMM in 2019 and an overview of the results are presented in this paper. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of participants aged ≥18 years was carried out in May 2019. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or treatment for hypertension, statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. In Hungary, 55 sites were set up in primary and secondary care facilities, in pharmacies, and in malls across all regions, in both cities and villages. Out of 2766 individuals screened, 1286 participants (46.5%) had hypertension. Out of 1869 participants not on antihypertensive medication, 389 (20.8%) had elevated BP. In the case of treated individuals (n = 897), 420 (46.8%) had uncontrolled hypertension. Almost every 2nd subject of the screened cohort had hypertension (treated and controlled, treated and uncontrolled, or untreated). In the untreated cohort, every 5th subject had elevated BP, whilst among patients on antihypertensive medication, every second had uncontrolled BP. By identifying almost one-third of the whole screened cohort with the possibility of newly diagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension, our results confirm the importance of BP screening campaigns.

Knowledge and awareness about MERS-CoV among the dental students in Chennai

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 847-851
Author(s):  
Nithyanandham Masilamani ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mode Of Transmission

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) induced by new ß coronavirus MERS-(CoV) had first been described in Saudi Arabia in September 2012. MERS-CoV communication inside the population is often identified with clustered households and cramped communal spaces. The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of MERS-CoV among dental students in India. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of 100 dental college students in Chennai. The self-designed questionnaires contained ten questions focused on the knowledge and awareness of MERS-CoV amongst dental college students. Questionnaires were circulated through an online website survey planet. After the responses were received from 100 participants, data were collected and analyzed, .87% are aware of MERS-CoV through media 13% from professional channels. 84%are aware of the clinical manifestation of MERS-CoV. 81%Are aware of the mode of transmission of MERS-CoV. 76%are aware of the preventive measures against MERS -CoV.68%. Are aware of the incubation period of MERS-CoV. 74%aware of PCR as a diagnostic test for MERS-CoV. This study concluded that dental students had strong awareness and knowledge of MERS. Also, there are a few differences in information and behaviours that require change. Large-scale health educational programs on MERS also should be facilitated by professional organizations to expand their reach and to strengthen knowledge to have a positive impact on their behaviour.

scholarly journals Stress and Its Impact on Academic and Social Life of Undergraduate University Students in Ghana: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Koawo Edjah ◽  
Francis Ankomah ◽  
Ebenezer Domey ◽  
John Ekow Laryea
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractStress is concomitant with students’ life and can have a significant impact on their lives, and even how they go about their academic work. Globally, in every five visits by patients to the doctor, three are stress-related problems. This study examined stress and its impact on the academic and social life among students of a university in Ghana. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Using the stratified and simple random (random numbers) sampling methods, 500 regular undergraduate students were engaged in the study. A questionnaire made up of Perceived Stress Scale and Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale was used to gather data for the study. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with AMOS were used for the analyses. It was found that majority of the students were moderately stressed. Paramount among the stressors were academic stressors, followed by institutional stressors, and external stressors. Stress had a significant positive impact on the academic and social life of students. It was concluded that undergraduate students, in one way or the other, go through some kind of stress during the course of their study. It was recommended that the university, through its Students’ Affairs, and Counselling Sections, continue to empower students on how to manage and deal with stress in order to enhance their academic life.

scholarly journals Preferences for Updates on General Research Results: A Survey of Participants in Genomic Research from Two Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
Casey Overby Taylor ◽  
Natalie Flaks Manov ◽  
Katherine D. Crew ◽  
Chunhua Weng ◽  
John J. Connolly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Result ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Genomic Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Set Up

There is a need for multimodal strategies to keep research participants informed about study results. Our aim was to characterize preferences of genomic research participants from two institutions along four dimensions of general research result updates: content, timing, mechanism, and frequency. Methods: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey that was administered from 25 June 2018 to 5 December 2018. Results: 397 participants completed the survey, most of whom (96%) expressed a desire to receive research updates. Preferences with high endorsement included: update content (brief descriptions of major findings, descriptions of purpose and goals, and educational material); update timing (when the research is completed, when findings are reviewed, when findings are published, and when the study status changes); update mechanism (email with updates, and email newsletter); and update frequency (every three months). Hierarchical cluster analyses based on the four update preferences identified four profiles of participants with similar preference patterns. Very few participants in the largest profile were comfortable with budgeting less money for research activities so that researchers have money to set up services to send research result updates to study participants. Conclusion: Future studies may benefit from exploring preferences for research result updates, as we have in our study. In addition, this work provides evidence of a need for funders to incentivize researchers to communicate results to participants.

scholarly journals Parental evaluation of a revised autism spectrum disorder diagnostic process for children under 36 months of age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Lemay ◽  
Shauna Langenberger ◽  
Scott McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Parent Education ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background The Alberta Children’s Hospital-Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic (ACH-ASDC) was restructured due to long wait times and unsustainable clinic workflow. Major changes included the initiation of pre- and post-ASD parent education sessions and distinct ASD screening appointments before the ASD diagnostic appointment. Methods We conducted a parental program evaluation in summer 2018 of the ACH-ASDC. We used a cross-sectional survey to evaluate key outcomes including parental satisfaction, and the percentage of families obtaining access to government supports and early intervention programs. Results For the 101 eligible patients diagnosed with ASD under 36 months of age 70 (69.3%) parents agreed to participate. The mean diagnostic age of the children diagnosed with ASD was 30.6 months (SD=4.1 months). There were no statistically significant age differences between biological sexes. Ninety-three per cent of parents felt that ASD educational sessions were useful, and 92% of parents were satisfied to very satisfied with the overall ASD diagnostic process. Ninety per cent of parents had access to at least one of the key resources available for ASD early intervention in our province following diagnosis. Parents reported a positive impact on intervention provided to their child in the areas of communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Conclusion Parents of children diagnosed with ASD expressed a high level of satisfaction with the restructured ACH-ASDC process. Implementing parent education sessions was well received and met parents’ needs. Parents were able to access intervention services following diagnosis and reported positive impacts for their child. Re-envisioning program approaches to incorporate novel strategies to support families should be encouraged.

Do regulations protect workers from occupational exposures to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) agents in France?

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-397
Author(s):  
Nathalie Havet ◽  
Alexis Penot ◽  
Morgane Plantier ◽  
Barbara Charbotel ◽  
Magali Morelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
International Agency ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveThis article explores the impact of regulations on the implementation of collective protections in France to occupational exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) agents.MethodsIndividual data from the French national cross-sectional survey of occupational hazards conducted in 2010 were analysed. We investigated whether stricter regulations and longer exposures were associated with higher level of collective protection using multivariate logistic regressions.ResultsGeneral ventilation, for which effect is limited as collective protection for CMR products, was present in 19% of situations involving CMR agents while isolation chambers, the most effective form of protection, were only very rarely implemented. Multilevel logistic regressions show that exposure situations to products classified as category 1 or 2 by the European Union do not have a higher probability of benefiting from a collective protection measures. Exposures to products with a Binding Occupational Exposure Limit Value selectively benefited from a better level of protection. Exposures to agents entered on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) list of proven or probable carcinogens benefited more from effective collective protections than products suspected to be carcinogens but not yet classified by IARC.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the dissemination of evaluations of carcinogens by the IARC translate into improved protective measures even though the IARC classification has no mandatory impact on regulations.

scholarly journals Awareness Regarding Implant Supported Dental Prosthesis; A Survey In Tertiary Care Set Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 250-253
Author(s):  
Anum Baqar ◽  
Saman Hakeem ◽  
Farnaz Ilyas ◽  
Abid Mohsin ◽  
Fatima Hassan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Implant ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dental Hospital ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Systemic Health ◽  
Implant Treatment

Objective: This research was aimed to assess the awareness and attitude regarding implant-retained prosthesis as the most advanced option for tooth replacement amongst residents of Karachi visiting tertiary care centre. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the department of Prosthodontics at Bahria University Dental Hospital, Karachi. Undertaking the demographic characteristics of patients, the objective was to determine the awareness and attitude toward implant supported prosthesis. Results: Amongst 380 responses retrieved, 9.8% of respondents were aware about the dental implant treatment. While correlating awareness with demographics features, awareness statistically increased with educational level (p= 0.00) and occupational category(p=0.01) of the participants. The friends and relative s(40.5%) were the main source of information regarding dental implant treatment modality. 54.1% were unwilling to undergo treatment with dental implant whereas high cost (55.2%)was the major limiting factor for implant treatment. 64.9% demanded dental insurance for getting the treatment. 45.9% had no knowledge regarding maintenance of implant supported prosthesis .73.0% had no idea regarding longevity of dental implant where as 86.5% were unaware of it’s impact on systemic health. Conclusion: The overall awareness regarding implant supported prosthesis was found to be minimal. This underlines the need of efforts and measures that should be made to raise the awareness and thus alter attitude towards dental implant therapy. Expensive rates (55.2%) was found to be the major limiting factor that should be relieved in the form of health insurance policies, especially in the developing countries like ours.

scholarly journals Electronic Health Use in the European Union and the Effect of Multimorbidity: Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva ◽  
Dimitra Anastasiadou ◽  
Cristiano Codagnone ◽  
Roberto Nuño-Solinís ◽  
Maria Begona Garcia-Zapirain Soto
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Electronic Health

BACKGROUND Multimorbidity is becoming increasingly common and is a leading challenge currently faced by societies with aging populations. The presence of multimorbidity requires patients to coordinate, understand, and use the information obtained from different health care professionals, while simultaneously striving to distinguish the symptoms of different diseases and self-manage their sometimes conflicting health problems. Electronic health (eHealth) tools provide a means to disseminate health information and education for both patients and health professionals and hold promise for more efficient and cost-effective care processes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the use of eHealth tools, taking into account the citizens’ sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and above all, the presence of multimorbidity. METHODS Cross-sectional and exploratory research was conducted using online survey data from July 2011 to August 2011. Participants included a total of 14,000 citizens from 14 European countries aged 16 to 74 years, who had used an eHealth tool in the past 3 months. The variables studied were sociodemographic variables of the participants, the questionnaire items assessing the frequency of using eHealth tools, the degree of morbidity, and the eHealth adoption gradient. Chi-square tests were conducted to examine the relationship between the sociodemographic and clinical variables of participants and the group the participants were assigned to according to their frequency of eHealth use (eHealth user group). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) allowed for assessing the differences in the eHealth adoption gradient average between different groups of individuals according to their morbidity level. A two-way between-groups ANOVA was performed to explore the effects of multimorbidity and age group on the eHealth adoption gradient. RESULTS According to the eHealth adoption gradient, most participants (68.15%, 9541/14,000) were labeled as rare users, with the majority of them (55.1%, 508/921) being in the age range of 25 to 54 years, with upper secondary education (50.3%, 464/921), currently employed (49.3%, 454/921), and living in medium-sized cities (40.7%, 375/921). Results of the one-way ANOVA showed that the number of health problems significantly affected the use of eHealth tools (F2,13996=11.584; P<.001). The two-way ANOVA demonstrated that there was a statistically significant interaction between the effects of age and number of health problems on the eHealth adoption gradient (F4,11991=7.936; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS The eHealth adoption gradient has proven to be a reliable way to measure different aspects of eHealth use. Multimorbidity is associated with a more intense use of eHealth, with younger Internet users using new technologies for health purposes more frequently than older groups with the same level of morbidity. These findings suggest the need to consider different strategies aimed at making eHealth tools more sensitive to the characteristics of older populations to reduce digital disadvantages.

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